Friday, 18 October 2024
Olamide Francis
“There is fire on the mountain, and nobody seems to be on the run,” Asa sang in her timeless track, ‘Fire on the Mountain.’ That track was released in 2007, but those words still ring true today as Nigeria moves from one crisis to another, yet urgent action remains elusive. Among the crises faced by Nigerians, none can be compared to the widespread hunger gripping the nation. Rising food prices, driven by inflation and other multidimensional factors, have pushed millions into severe food insecurity, with families struggling to afford even basic meals. As the situation worsens, the government’s lack of effective response leaves many wondering if relief will ever come. I hope no one is referring to the politically-motivated rice distribution epidemic happening everywhere as a relief. Rice cannot be thrown at this kind of food inflation that has plunged the middle class of Nigeria down the social strata.
The United Nations predicted in July that 82 million Nigerians, approximately 64 per cent of our population, could face hunger by 2030, urging the government to address every threat to agricultural productivity. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, Nigeria’s food inflation rate reached an unprecedented 40.66 per cent in May 2024, surpassing the previous month’s 40.53 per cent increase. This marks the largest year-on-year spike in food prices since records began in 1996. Historically, food inflation in Nigeria has averaged 13.42 per cent, with the lowest point of -17.50 per cent recorded in January 2000. That’s not all. In 2023, the Nigerian government and its partners, while presenting the October 2023 Cadre Harmonisé analysis on food insecurity, projected that around 26.5 million people in Nigeria would face severe food insecurity in 2024.
The same analysis report released in March 2024 revealed that 4.8 million people in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states are experiencing severe food insecurity, the highest level in seven years. Adding to this, during the 2024 May Day celebrations, Organised Labour expressed grave concerns about rising food prices and fuel shortages, warning that the situation was threatening the survival of workers across the nation. Although Wednesday was World Food Day, I cannot let it pass without adding my voice to the cry of Nigerians – ebi n pawa (we are hungry). This year’s commemoration calls for sober reflection and serves as a critical reminder of the need to ensure food security for everyone. As the world grapples with increasing food shortages, Nigeria finds itself in the grip of a worsening food crisis. Although global food production exceeds the needs of the population, hunger continues to rise, particularly in vulnerable regions like my country.
According to the World Bank’s Food Security Update Report, Nigeria, along with 17 other countries, is experiencing a significant increase in severe food insecurity, with over one million additional people facing food shortages in 2024 compared to the previous year. At the heart of this growing crisis lies not just natural disasters or conflicts, but the failure of the government to address the root causes and take decisive action. As I’ve tried to show in previous paragraphs, the statistics are alarming. With a population of over 220 million, Nigeria is Africa’s most populous nation, and yet around 37% of its population, approximately 84 million people, live below the poverty line. This is the severity and urgency of the crisis we have found ourselves as a nation.
In regions like the Northeast, conflict has exacerbated the issue, displacing 2.2 million people and leaving 4.4 million food insecure in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states. These figures illustrate the depth of the food crisis, but they also point to a more profound systemic problem: a failure of governance and policy implementation. The Nigerian government’s inability to effectively manage the multiple drivers of food insecurity—ranging from climate change to conflict—has only served to worsen the crisis.
One of the critical factors fuelling Nigeria’s food crisis is the failure of government policy to address the socio-political and economic challenges facing the agricultural sector. Agriculture remains a significant part of Nigeria’s economy, employing over 50% of the labour force and contributing 25% to Nigeria’s GDP. However, despite its importance, the sector is grossly underfunded and poorly managed. Successive governments have failed to invest in infrastructure, technology, and human capital development in the agricultural sector, leaving it vulnerable to external shocks such as climate change and economic downturns.
The inability to implement sound agricultural policies has led to inefficiencies in food production and distribution. For instance, the lack of investment in irrigation systems and modern farming techniques means that Nigerian farmers are overly reliant on rain-fed agriculture, which is highly vulnerable to climate-induced issues like droughts and floods. Between 2023 and 2024 alone, Nigeria experienced significant flooding that destroyed crops and farmland, further reducing the already scarce food supply. The government’s response to these disasters has been slow and inadequate, leaving millions of farmers without the support they need to recover.
Climate change is another major driver of food insecurity in Nigeria, but the government’s failure to develop and implement effective climate adaptation strategies has only worsened the situation. Periodic droughts, floods, and changing weather patterns have had a devastating impact on agricultural output. In many rural areas, farmers have seen their livelihoods destroyed by extreme weather events, leaving them unable to produce enough food to meet their needs.
While climate change is a global issue, Nigeria’s poor governance has magnified its impact. So, let’s stop hiding a lack of effective and efficient governance under climate change. The lack of climate-resilient infrastructure, such as dams and irrigation systems, has made it impossible for farmers to adapt to changing weather patterns. In the absence of government support, many farmers are forced to rely on outdated farming methods that are no longer effective in the face of climate change. As a result, agricultural productivity continues to decline, leading to food shortages and increased hunger. I wrote about the Maiduguri dam as it relates to the flood in Northeast Nigeria last week – I recommend that you read it.
In addition, the ongoing conflict in Nigeria, particularly in the Northeast, is another significant factor contributing to the food crisis. Insurgent activities, especially those of Boko Haram, have displaced millions of people, disrupted farming activities, and limited access to markets. The conflict has not only displaced communities but also destroyed agricultural infrastructure, further compounding food insecurity in the region.
The Nigerian government’s failure to resolve the conflict and restore peace in affected areas has made it impossible for displaced farmers to return to their land and resume food production. The insecurity has also made it difficult for humanitarian organizations to provide much-needed food aid to vulnerable populations. In regions like Borno State, which has been at the centre of the insurgency, three million people are now facing acute food shortages, a direct result of the government’s inability to effectively address the conflict.
Another significant factor fuelling the food crisis in Nigeria is rising inflation, which has made basic food items unaffordable for many Nigerians. Nigeria’s economy has been in decline for almost a decade, with rising unemployment, currency depreciation, and inflation driving up the cost of living. According to recent data, Nigeria’s inflation rate will reach 32.70% in September 2024. Food prices have surged even higher, with staples like rice, maize, and bread becoming increasingly out of reach for millions of Nigerians.
Economic mismanagement and poor fiscal policies have contributed to this situation. The government’s failure to diversify the economy away from oil dependence, invest in local food production, and stabilize the currency has left Nigeria vulnerable to global economic shocks. As a result, food imports have become more expensive, further straining the food supply chain, and exacerbating the food crisis.
Addressing Nigeria’s food crisis requires a comprehensive approach that tackles the root causes of the problem. First and foremost, the government must invest in the agricultural sector by providing farmers with the tools, technology, and resources they need to increase productivity. This includes building climate-resilient infrastructure, such as dams and irrigation systems, and promoting the use of modern farming techniques. All these ‘have a farm in your backyard’ rhetoric must cease. This is not the hunter-and-gatherer era. We have arable lands yet we’re hungry – how ironic.
Secondly, the government must resolve the ongoing conflict in the Northeast and other affected regions. This will allow displaced farmers to return to their land and resume food production. Additionally, the government must ensure that humanitarian aid reaches vulnerable populations, particularly in conflict-affected areas.
Thirdly, the government must address the issue of inflation and economic mismanagement by implementing sound fiscal policies that stabilize the economy and reduce the cost of food. This includes diversifying the economy away from oil dependence, promoting local food production, and reducing the country’s reliance on food imports.
Lastly, the government must improve access to agricultural financing for smallholder farmers. By providing affordable loans and grants, the government can help farmers invest in modern farming techniques and increase their productivity. This will not only boost food production but also create jobs and reduce poverty in rural areas.
On this year’s World Food Day, it is essential to recognize the role that government failure has played in fuelling the food crisis in Nigeria. If the government does not take immediate and decisive action to address these issues, the food crisis will only worsen, with devastating consequences for the country’s most vulnerable populations. It is time for the Nigerian government to prioritize food security and take the necessary steps to ensure that no Nigerian goes hungry.
Olamide is a communications professional currently based in London, United Kingdom. He can be reached across social media platforms @olamidefrancis and via francisolamide1@gmail.com